Pelosi Floor Speech Marking the Swearing-In of Cheryl Johnson as House Clerk

Speaker Pelosi.  I thank the distinguished Leader for his recognition and for calling us together to salute two great women of this chamber.

Mr. Speaker, I rise for the great honor of swearing in Cheryl Johnson as the [36th] Clerk of the House of Representatives.  This is a very distinguished and prestigious role, and Leader McCarthy, I was pleased to appoint the first [African American woman] Clerk of the House, Lorraine Miller, when I was Speaker before, now I'm happy to be appointing the [second].

We're privileged to be joined by Cheryl's parents, the Reverend Charlie Davis and Cynthia Davis of New Orleans, who are with us in the chamber.  Thank you for being with us.

[Applause]

We're also pleased to welcome Cheryl's husband Clarence Ellison and her son Bradford to this chamber today as well.  Welcome to you and thank you.

I want to join our colleagues – the distinguished Democratic Leader, Republican Leader and distinguished Republican Whip – in saluting House Clerk Karen Haas for her many years of distinguished service to this institution.  Anyone who knows her is proud of her service.  On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, thank you, Karen, for the great integrity and dedication for which you have served the People's House.  Thank you so much.  She has been magnificent.

Cheryl Johnson embodies public service and has dedicated her career to strengthening many of the most important institutions of our democracy, including our own.  Indeed, it is a homecoming, as Leader Hoyer mentioned, as Cheryl returns to the House of Representatives where she worked with distinction and honor for Chairman Lacy Clay Sr. – I emphasize ‘senior' – of the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Libraries and Memorials, the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service Subcommittee on Investigations.

Our country is stronger for her work on the then-Committee on Education and the Workforce to secure justice and progress for our children and advance fairness and respect for our workers.

In Congress, she earned the respect of all, Members and staff, Democrats and Republicans, for being a leader of compassion, courage and commitment.

Cheryl returns to the House after more than a decade at the Smithsonian Institution.  Her great dedication to this American treasure – which is the largest museum in the world – has ensured it will remain a source of creativity, innovation and research for generations to come.  Our nation is particularly grateful for her extraordinary vision and persistence in helping transform the dream of the National Museum of African American History and Culture into reality.  Thank you.

Cheryl has made a difference, empowering millions of Americans and visitors from abroad to explore and be inspired by the beauty and richness of American culture and history.  Now, Cheryl's strong leadership and deep love and respect for the institutions of our democracy will be vital in her role as House Clerk, strengthening and safeguarding the Congress in the tradition of Karen and the Congress, the first branch of government, Article I.

Thank you, Cheryl, for your commitment to our institutions and to our democracy.  And with great, again, recognition, appreciation to Karen Haas for her service.  It is now my privilege to administer the oath of office to Cheryl Johnson.  Cheryl, would you please step forward?